Here are two articles prepared for the press about Midlothian Councils decision about Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. One if we get a Yes the other for a No. Which one will it be? We will know in 2 hours.Then it goes to press.Today I witnessed an amazing result of a community coming together and changing the course of local history.A new High School has been built in Bonnyrigg which promises state of the art facilities. As a result, the existing leisure centre in the local park was scheduled for demolition. This wasnʼt communicated well to the community and we found out inadvertently in a local meeting. A group gathered with the vision of reusing the building as a community facility with soft play for youngsters, cafe facilities for their parents and a bike workshop and hangout space for the townʼs youth. Others have now joined us, bringing their hopes and dreams and vision for the centre.Our biggest stumbling block to the realisation of these dreams has been the imminent threat of demolition at the end of August. 91% of the local community, when asked, wanted the centre to be reused. Council officers, after reading our report, recommended that the centre be retained for at least 6 months to further engage with the local community. Today, Midlothian Councillors voted to agree a stay of execution of at least 6 months. What we were told would be impossible has come to pass!We could focus on the story of a rash decision to demolish the building and the fight to change that decision. We would rather the story be about a community that pulled together, that dared to dream and think big and has the capacity and enthusiasm and passion to provide for itself and care for each other as we do life together. This is a story of a Council who listened and heard us and are willing to take the more complex route of engaging with the local community to transfer this valuable asset. Above all, this is a story of hope and friendship and a future where everyone in our town has a place to belong, whether at the new Lasswade High School or at our Bonnyrigg centre. We will take a moment to celebrate todayʼs victory and tomorrow the hard work begins again!ORToday I witnessed the tragic result of a council hellbent on its own agenda, that has become deaf to the needs and desires of the people that it serves.A new High School has been built in Bonnyrigg which promises state of the art facilities. As a result, the existing leisure centre in the local park was scheduled for demolition. This wasnʼt communicated well to the community and we found out inadvertently in a local meeting. A group gathered with the vision of reusing the building as a community facility with soft play for youngsters, cafe facilities for their parents and a bike workshop and hangout space for the townʼs youth. Others joined us, bringing their hopes and dreams and vision for the centre.Our biggest stumbling block to the realisation of these dreams has always been the imminent threat of demolition at the end of August. 91% of the local community, when asked, wanted the centre to be reused. We submitted a detailed report to council officers outlining our hopes for the building and how we would practically and financially achieve those hopes. After reading our report, officers recommended that the centre be retained for at least 6 months to further engage with the local community. Despite all of this Midlothian Councillors voted today to demolish the building with immediate effect.When did the Council become so deaf to what the local community and indeed their own officers are saying? When did the elected officials who claim to serve their constituents put political power plays and convenience above the needs and desires of their local community?Demolition may be convenient in the short term but it has long term implications for the social health of the community in Bonnyrigg which the Council will end up footing the bill for. Listening to the local community is not easy or convenient but it is essential if the council wants to remain credible and see local people thrive. The Council may well learn this to their cost as a result of todayʼs decision.The fight is not over yet.Which will it be?